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Ranvir glanced down at her. “The pirates know if we attack their ship now, it will destroy both ships.”
“Oh.” He could tell she hadn’t realized that. “So what do we do?”
“Youwill do nothing but sit there.” Ranvir’s gaze traveled over the bridge. “Ganesha, position us to attach on the ship’s opposite side. Pike, Tane, you’re with me. We’re going to clear that ship.”
“With what?” Tane demanded, even as he rose from the navigation console. “We don’t have any weapons.”
“There are weapons in the security room.” Ranvir’s eyes shot back to her, and she continued. “I’m sure they’re not what you’re used to, but they’re what my security used.”
“Security?” Tane questioned, having come up to stand on the other side of her.
“Talyani can’t travel without security,” Vujcec spoke up. “She has rabid fans. Don’t you guys know anything?”
Ranvir’s gaze remained fixed on Taly, ignoring Wells. “Where’s this room?”
“Right over there.”
Taly pointed behind them to a door Ranvir hadn’t had time to investigate. Striding over, he opened the door and entered the room. At first glance, it only contained a couch, several chairs, and a desk.
An array of weapons and communication devices lined the walls on closer examination, all secured behind dark glass. Opening the cabinets, he hummed his approval and began strapping on weapons. Whoever had stocked this arsenal hadn’t been playing around. Returning to the bridge, he gestured to Pike and Tane.
“Arm up,” he told Pike and Tane. “Ganesha, you’ll remain onboard. Wells, bring the communications array back up. We’ll need to communicate once we’re aboard.”
“But we’ll be identifiable,” Vujcec shrieked.
Ranvir ignored him as Pike and Tane returned loaded with weapons. “Let’s go.”
“Ranvir.”
Turning, he found Talyani’s eyes filled with concern. When was the last time someone outside his pod worried about his safety? It created the odd urge to reassure her.
“This is what we do,” he told her shortly. “We’re cyborgs. We’ll be fine.”
“I know, but… be careful.” She looked at the other cyborgs. “All of you.”
Giving her a nod, they left the bridge.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Ranvir tapped the comms in his ear when they reached the hatch. “Ganesha.”
“Achieving hard lock,” Ranvir felt a slight bump, “now. Sensors show no one in your immediate area, but a group is heading in your direction. Unable to determine if they’re hostile or friendly.”
“Understood. Tane, open the hatch. Pike and I will cover you.”
The young cyborg quickly followed the order. He pulled open the Troubadour’s hatch, then, after a nod from Ranvir, pushed open the door on the other craft and immediately dropped into a defensive stance. It wasn’t necessary, though. Ganesha had been right. There was no one there.
“Move out,” Ranvir ordered.
“Incoming on your left,” Ganesha spoke through their earpiece.
The three of them turned as one. Pirates advanced, weapons raised in their direction and fired.
∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
Taly bit her lower lip as she listened to the comms Vujcec put on speaker for them. Shouts and blaster fire poured through. Removing her harness, she leaped to her feet and pressed a hand to her stomach. The sound nauseated her in a way she hadn’t been since she’d performed at Worlds.
Gods, if anything happened to Ranvir because she’d insisted on helping the other ship, she’d never forgive herself.
